Sunday, July 14, 2013

Less Fauna at the Lake Fort Scott: Is it the hunting?

I live in Kansas City, but have a cabin 90 minutes south on Lake
Fort Scott. It is pretty and peaceful most of the time. It is not always quiet,
as there are frequently power boats going by pulling water skiiers or folks
(mostly kids) hanging on to a water-couch (??) or speeding to a corner where
they can fish quietly with the electric trolling motor, or in the case of
jet-skis, simply running around in circles creating noise and wake. And there
is some building, and folks mowing the grass. It is nicest during the week (if
you can get away) or before Memorial Day or after Labor Day, when there are
fewer people and boats.

So I like taking my kayak out early, before the power boats
get busy, and paddling the shore, looking for wildlife. I’m not a birder or
wildlife biologist so I don’t know everything I see, but do know I see deer,
and otters, and minks, and lots of birds and ducks. Great blue herons, and
sometimes green herons and wild turkey and “our” osprey (which is not supposed
to live in Kansas).

But not so much this year; instead of at least 5 or 6 great
blues on a paddle down the length of the lake, I’m happy to see one, and its
way down at the end. For the first time this year, they allowed hunting along
the shores of the lake (“only” shotgun and bow, a relief, not deer rifles whose
bullets can travel a half-mile). There wasn’t a whole lot, I think, because
there are plenty of other places to hunt around here, and it is pretty clear
that the decision was made for primarily political (“we believe in hunting!”) reasons. So, maybe it was the hunting this
winter and spring that scared them off; even though it is summer now and there
is no hunting, I guess it could have disrupted their nesting season. Maybe not.
Maybe global warming is coincidentally having its impact this year. Or
something else. I don’t know.

Still, it’s sad. There is a lot to be said for the lake, and
beauty, and quiet, are a big part of it. And, with the shotguns booming, the “off
season” will not be so “off”. And I am less likely to see a big flock of white
pelicans resting in the middle of the lake during their fall migration. And see
fewer birds and animals in the summer.